NBA Season Kicks Off with a Bang: Stars Set the Tone Early
Wednesday night was nothing short of a basketball spectacle, delivering a full slate of NBA season openers packed with highlight-reel moments. Across the league, established superstars and emerging talents wasted no time in making their presence felt, setting an electrifying pace for the season ahead. From historic scoring outbursts to triumphant comebacks, the opening act promised a campaign of high-octane action.
Ant-Man Takes Flight: Edwards' Record-Shattering Performance
Anthony Edwards didn't just start the season; he launched it into orbit. The Timberwolves phenom erupted for a career-high 45 points, draining nine 3-pointers and pulling down 10 rebounds in a dominant victory. This jaw-dropping effort not only shattered his own franchise record for opening-night scoring but also placed him in rarefied air alongside legends like Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan as players with multiple 40-point season openers.
Edwards' synergy with new teammate LaMelo Ball, who contributed 21 points and 6 assists, signals a potent offensive force in Minnesota. Their immediate chemistry on the court has fans already dreaming of a deep playoff run.
Haliburton's Heartfelt Heroics: A Triumphant Return
In a moment that transcended basketball, Tyrese Haliburton made a profoundly emotional return to the hardwood. Sixteen months after suffering a devastating torn Achilles tendon, the Pacers star delivered a performance filled with heart and clutch play, tallying 23 points and 12 assists. His tie-breaking and-1 in the final minute sealed a thrilling victory against the Pelicans.
Post-game, the emotion of his long journey back poured out, reminding everyone of the dedication behind these athletic feats. Bolstered by Pascal Siakam's 30 points, Haliburton's return is a massive boost for the Pacers' aspirations.
Lakers' Blockbuster Debut: Dončić and Kessler Shine Bright
A new chapter began for the Lakers with the sensational debuts of Luka Dončić and Walker Kessler. Dončić was clinical, pouring in a game-high 28 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and dishing 7 assists, capped by an unbelievable 49-foot buzzer-beater. However, it was Kessler's historic 26 points on a perfect 12-for-12 FG that truly turned heads, making him just the second Laker ever to achieve such efficiency on 12+ attempts, a feat also accomplished by Wilt Chamberlain.
Their instant chemistry and dominant outing against Steph Curry and the Warriors sent a clear message: the Lakers are a force to be reckoned with. Dončić himself lauded Kessler's praising his teammate’s performance, giving Kessler an “A-plus” for his Lakers debut. Austin Reaves also chipped in 23 points and 6 assists, while Los Angeles limited Golden State to just 8-of-36 shooting from three-point range.
Anthony Davis Powers Wizards Past Bucks
Anthony Davis made an immediate impact in his Washington debut, recording 34 points and 12 rebounds to help the Wizards defeat the Bucks 128-116. Trae Young added 20 points and 13 assists as Washington pulled away with a decisive 16-5 fourth-quarter run.
Davis matched Antawn Jamison’s record for the most points scored by a player in their Wizards debut. Washington also had six players reach double figures, despite missing top draft pick AJ Dybantsa, who was sidelined with an ankle injury.
Ty Jerome Explodes for Career-High 45 Points
While Davis dominated in Washington, Ty Jerome delivered a scoring masterclass for the Memphis Grizzlies, pouring in a career-high 45 points in a 123-103 win over the Utah Jazz.
Jerome shot 17-of-25 from the field, including five three-pointers, while adding 7 rebounds and 6 assists. His performance set a new Grizzlies record for points in a season opener and made him the eighth player since 2000 to score at least 45 points in an opening game.
Memphis coach Tuomas Iisalo praised Jerome’s composure under pressure, noting how difficult he becomes to contain when his shots start falling.
The game also featured promising performances from two top rookies. Utah’s Darryn Peterson, the No. 2 pick, finished with 9 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, while Memphis’ Cameron Boozer, selected third overall, recorded 7 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists with a game-high +32 plus-minus rating.
Kawhi Leonard Receives Warm Welcome in Toronto
Kawhi Leonard received a standing ovation as he officially returned to Toronto, where he led the Raptors to their 2019 NBA championship. The reception was followed by an immediate display of his two-way ability as Toronto raced to an early 7-0 lead against the Chicago Bulls.
The Raptors never surrendered their advantage, cruising to a 135-92 victory. Leonard, Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley each scored 23 points, while Matas Buzelis led Chicago with 17 points and No. 4 pick Caleb Wilson added 16.
Damian Lillard Makes Winning Return to Portland
Damian Lillard marked his second stint with the Portland Trail Blazers in style after missing the entire previous season with a torn left Achilles tendon. Lillard led all scorers with 25 points, adding 6 assists and knocking down six three-pointers as Portland stormed to a 21-0 lead against the Phoenix Suns before securing a commanding 124-83 win.
Ja Morant also impressed in his Blazers debut, contributing 14 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds and 3 steals. Deni Avdija recorded a double-double with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists as Portland claimed the third-largest season-opening victory in franchise history.
Kevin Durant Opens 20th Season with 30-Point Performance
Kevin Durant showed no signs of slowing down in his 20th NBA season, scoring 30 points and grabbing 6 rebounds to lead the Houston Rockets past the Dallas Mavericks 128-110. Jabari Smith Jr. matched Durant’s 30-point output, helping Houston take control with a dominant 38-12 second quarter.
Dallas rookie Cooper Flagg put up an impressive 32 points, 5 rebounds and 3 steals, but his performance wasn't enough to prevent the defeat. Durant joined LeBron James as the only players in NBA history to score at least 30 points in a season opener during their 20th NBA season or later.
Houston also welcomed back Fred VanVleet, who dished out a game-high 11 assists after missing the entire previous season with an ACL injury. Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving returned for Dallas with an efficient 15-point performance, shooting 6-of-9 from the field.
Hawks, Hornets and Clippers Secure Opening Wins
The Atlanta Hawks edged the Orlando Magic 132-125 in a contest featuring 22 lead changes. Nickeil Alexander-Walker delivered the decisive contribution, hitting consecutive three-pointers in the final 90 seconds to finish with 31 points and five three-pointers.
Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 35 points and 10 assists, but Atlanta had too much firepower. Alexander-Walker, Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels and CJ McCollum combined for 90 of the Hawks’ 132 points.
Elsewhere, the Charlotte Hornets defeated the Brooklyn Nets 110-103 despite Julius Randle’s impressive Nets debut, in which he recorded 33 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Charlotte’s newcomers made the difference, with Naz Reid posting 20 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists, while Grayson Allen added 21 points and five three-pointers.
The LA Clippers also started their campaign with a 121-96 victory over the Sacramento Kings. Darius Garland led the Clippers with 30 points and 4 assists, while rookie Keaton Wagler contributed 15 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals.
Los Angeles never trailed in the game, overcoming Zach LaVine’s 28 points and Domantas Sabonis’ near triple-double of 14 points, 18 rebounds and 8 assists.
Julius Erving Reflects on Basketball's Past and Present
As the NBA celebrates the 50th anniversary of the ABA-NBA merger, basketball legend Julius Erving, widely known as Dr. J, reflected on the sport’s evolution, his career in the American Basketball Association (ABA) and his 11 seasons in Philadelphia.
Speaking to NBA.com’s Jeff Zillgitt, Erving highlighted the ABA’s commitment to entertaining fans. Recalling his time alongside George Gervin with the Virginia Squires, he explained how the league’s players aimed to give spectators their money’s worth. Erving also fondly remembered Philadelphia, describing how the city’s passionate supporters embraced the team as their own.
Looking at the 2026-27 Philadelphia 76ers, the franchise legend expressed optimism about the team’s current direction, particularly the emphasis players have placed on making sacrifices for the collective good. His comments come as Philadelphia prepares for its home opener against Cleveland, with LeBron James and Jaylen Brown among the headline names on the roster.
Cavaliers and Sixers Set for Star-Studded Showdown
The Cleveland Cavaliers begin their new campaign aiming to build on several seasons of Eastern Conference success. Since 2022, Cleveland has finished among the conference’s top four teams every season, accumulating more than 200 wins during that period.
The Cavaliers reached the Eastern Conference Finals last season but were swept by the New York Knicks, who went on to win the championship. This season, Cleveland hopes to take the next step and reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2018.
Donovan Mitchell enters his 10th season as an All-Star, following a 2025-26 campaign in which he averaged 27.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game. Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and Mitchell return, while James Harden prepares for his first full season with Cleveland.
Harden welcomed the opportunity for the group to begin the season together, acknowledging that teams inevitably change throughout a campaign.
On the other side, LeBron James will play his first regular-season home game as a Sixer at Xfinity Mobile Arena against the franchise he helped lead to the 2016 championship. James recorded 14 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists in his Philadelphia debut on Tuesday, helping the Sixers defeat the Knicks during their banner-night celebrations.
Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 28 points, while James, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, Anfernee Simons and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope also scored in double figures. Maxey described the roster as highly competitive, pointing to the team's reluctance to lose as a defining characteristic.
Nuggets and Thunder Renew Their Rivalry
The evening’s second matchup features two of the NBA’s biggest stars as Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets visit Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Jokić and Gilgeous-Alexander have combined to win five of the last six Kia MVP awards, setting up an intriguing early-season clash between the two elite talents.
Jokić averaged a triple-double for the second consecutive season in 2025-26 and enters the new campaign within 12 triple-doubles of passing Russell Westbrook for the NBA's all-time record. Denver has also added six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan to complement Jokić, while retaining key contributors Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun. DeRozan has emphasised that his priority is doing whatever it takes to help the team win.
Oklahoma City, meanwhile, begins its title defence with Gilgeous-Alexander in outstanding form. The reigning back-to-back Kia MVP opened the season with 32 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks, leading the Thunder past their rivals, the San Antonio Spurs, on Tuesday.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault praised Gilgeous-Alexander’s composure and ability to deliver under pressure, highlighting the tone he consistently sets for the team. With two MVP-calibre players ready to face off, the Nuggets-Thunder matchup offers an early look at a rivalry that could shape the Western Conference race.